Obituaries

The Legacy of Mrs. Juanita Jones Jackson November 27, 1931 – January 20, 2024

During the 1800’s, along the Mississippi River in the Arkansas Delta, the Gilcrest, Ward, Corbin, Jarrett Family lineage began. The exact date is unknown, but a young gentleman named Mr. Horace Gilcrest met and married Miss Caroline Dorsey in Phillips County, Arkansas (AR).  Horace and Caroline had 10 children.  One of whom was Irene Gilcrest. Samuel Hill met and married Irene Gilcrest in West Helena, AR.  To this union, four children were born: Aline (born in 1903), Lucille, Samuel and Harry.

Meanwhile, also in the 1800’s, this time in Lee County, AR, the Jones Family lineage began. Samuel Jones, Sr., met and married Chellie Lamb in the late 1800’s.  To this union seven children were born.  One of whom was Nathan (Athan) Jones (born in 1894).  Nathan (Athan) Jones met and married Aline Hill in West Helena.  To this union, three children were born: Leonia (1929), Juanita and Will Ella (1932).

Juanita Loretta Jones was born on November 27, 1931, in West Helena. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and was baptized at the age of 12 at First Baptist Church in West Helena under Pastor H.R. Jelks. She was a lifelong member of the church having served as a faithful member for over 80 years under Pastors Jelks, H.Y. Ward, Nathaniel Hull, Sr., and Von Daniels.

She attended school in West Helena and graduated from Eliza Miller High School.  She also attended Arkansas A.M. & N. College (now UAPB) in Pine Bluff.  After high school graduation, she met a young U.S. Army veteran from Tyler, TX, who was a teacher and principal in the Rondo School District. They soon fell in love.  Twenty-five-year-old Elijah John (EJ) Jackson and 20-year-old Miss Juanita Jones were joined together in holy matrimony on May 24, 1952 in West Helena.  To this union, two beautiful daughters were born, Veronica on January 1, 1953, and Loretta Ann on September 19, 1955. Tragedy struck the family when EJ passed away from sudden illness in 1964.  The family home was without a man in the house until Ms. Juanita had a son on August 30, 1966, and Mister Reginald was born.

Ms. Juanita was dedicated to her family and was the matriarch of her immediate and extended family. She was a pillar in the community and in the church.  She loved her children, her grandchildren, her great grandchildren, her nieces, nephews, and all her family and friends.  She lived to see: 1) all three of her children earn university degrees, one earning a master’s degree and one becoming a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy; 2) both of her granddaughters earn university degrees, one earning a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree; 3) one of her great grandchildren earn his high school diploma with Honors and become a freshman at the University of Alabama and; 4) two of her great grandchildren earn accolades in the performing arts in middle school and high school with one earning the lead role in his high school play as a sophomore.

She was a dedicated homemaker and breadwinner for her family and a very hard-working woman.  She worked over forty years at Bobbie Brooks Garment Factory (later known as Helena Sportswear) in West Helena.  Following her retirement from Helena Sportswear, she worked part-time at Isle of Capri in Lula, MS; at Jackson & Highley Funeral Home; and as a home health aide in West Helena. She was a wonderful caregiver to several residents who requested specific care from her until her full retirement.

She was one of the neighborhood mothers who always looked after all the children in the neighborhood to keep everyone out of trouble and to lend a helping hand when needed.  If anyone moved away from Helena-West Helena, who either grew up in First Baptist Church or in the neighborhood and came back to the city for a visit, they always stopped by Ms. Juanita’s house to say “hello”.

She was a fun-loving, family-oriented, neighborly, compassionate and giving person who had a fondness for great conversation, gospel music, cooking, vegetable gardening, traveling (she LOVED Detroit and California), an occasional visit “over to the boat”, and she was a huge fan of the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin. She was generous with her time, talent and resources.

She was known by many names to those closest to her: granddaughter, daughter, sister, cousin, wife, Nita, Miss Juanita, Mom Dear, Mother, Mama, Auntie, Mother Dear, Big Mama, Gee Gee, friend, and child of The Most High God.  She was Blessed by God and Highly Favored with Mercy and Grace to live a long and fulfilled life.  Although her last few years had many, many challenges with her health and her mobility, she continued to live a great and enriched life.  She NEVER gave up; she stayed the course and kept her strong Faith in God Almighty until He called her to her Heavenly Home.

Mrs. Juanita Jackson passed away at her home, in her sleep, on Saturday, January 20, 2024.  She lived to be 92 years-old. She is proceeded in death by her parents, Athan and Aline Jones of West Helena; her sisters, Leonia Jones Johnson and Will Ella Jones Lofton both of Chicago, IL; her husband Elijah John Jackson; her nieces Gwendolyn Johnson Caldwell of Oakland, CA, Cassie Johnson Brumley of Chicago, IL; Lynette Lofton Wilkerson of Chicago, IL; and Jacqueline Lofton Williams of Oakland, CA.

She leaves a true legacy that will live on throughout those who survive her.  Cherishing her memory are:  devoted, loving daughter Veronica Jackson Defillo of Wylie, TX; daughter Loretta Jackson Berry of Houston, TX; devoted, loving son Reginald L. Jackson (Lt. Commander, U.S. Navy Reserve-Retired) of Conway, AR; two beautiful granddaughters: Nakia Cheerie Jackson Hayes, Phar.D. (DeMarquis) of Wylie, TX, and Taylor Nicole Regina Jackson of Conway, AR; three great grandchildren: Dyson Hayes of Tuscaloosa, AL; Devin Hayes and Daija Hayes of Wylie, TX; nephew Alvin C. Johnson (Adrian) of Chicago, IL; niece Loretta Lofton Brantley (Donald), nephew James Lofton, Jr., niece Regina Lofton Island (Herman) and niece Yvette Lofton Trigleth (Terry) all of Chicago, IL.   She leaves to cherish a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, loved ones and very special friends who knew and loved her deeply and are left with precious memories.